Military Relocation Guide — Moving to Fort Knox, KY

Moving your family across the country (or across the world) is one of the most stressful parts of military life. This guide covers the logistics side of relocating to Fort Knox — how to move your household goods, which resources are available to you, and what to do during your first days on the ground. For the housing-specific side of the move, see our PCS to Fort Knox guide.

Your Relocation Resources

The military provides a suite of resources to help with every PCS move. Knowing what is available — and using it early — makes the difference between a chaotic move and a smooth one.

Military OneSource

Military OneSource (1-800-342-9647) is your one-stop resource for relocation assistance. They offer free relocation planning tools, counseling, financial guidance, and can connect you with local services at your gaining installation. Their website includes a "Plan My Move" tool that generates a personalized PCS checklist based on your specific situation — family size, pets, overseas vs CONUS, etc. Use it. It saves time and prevents you from missing critical steps.

Fort Knox Transportation Office (ITO)

The Installation Transportation Office at (502) 624-5372 handles all inbound and outbound household goods shipments. Contact them to schedule your HHG delivery, file claims for damaged items, and get answers about weight allowances. They are your point of contact for any issues with the moving company.

Army Community Service (ACS)

ACS at (502) 624-2709 provides relocation readiness services, including welcome packets, area orientation, lending closet items (temporary household goods while you wait for your HHG), and connections to spouse employment programs. They also host newcomer orientations that walk you through everything Fort Knox has to offer.

Housing Services Office

The Housing Services Office at (502) 624-3669 is a mandatory stop for families making housing decisions. They can provide current Knox Hills availability, off-post housing referrals, and a list of landlords and property managers who work with military tenants. They also provide tenant rights information for Kentucky, which is important if you are renting off-post.

HHG vs PPM/DITY Moves

You have two primary options for moving your household goods to Fort Knox. Understanding the tradeoffs helps you decide which works best for your situation.

Household Goods (HHG) Move — Government-Arranged

In an HHG move, the government arranges and pays for a commercial moving company to pack, transport, and deliver your belongings. This is the most common option and the easiest in terms of effort. Here is what to expect:

• Scheduling: Book through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) at move.mil. Do this as early as possible — summer dates fill up fast, and a delayed HHG pickup can cascade into problems at the other end.
• Packing: The movers pack everything. You do not need to do anything except be present on packing day and make sure they have access to all rooms.
• Weight allowance: Your authorized weight depends on rank and whether you have dependents. An E-5 with dependents is authorized 9,000 lbs; an O-3 with dependents gets 13,500 lbs. Exceeding your weight allowance means paying out of pocket for the overage.
• Delivery: Transit time to Fort Knox varies by origin — typically 1-3 weeks from CONUS locations. The movers deliver to your new home and unpack if requested.
• Claims: If anything is damaged or missing, file a claim through DPS within 75 days of delivery. Document everything on delivery day — photograph damaged items before the movers leave.

Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY Move)

In a PPM (formerly called DITY — Do It Yourself), you move your own household goods and the government reimburses you based on what an HHG move would have cost. You keep the difference between the reimbursement and your actual expenses, which can be significant — often $2,000-$5,000+ depending on the distance and weight.

• How it works: Rent a truck (U-Haul, Penske), load your own belongings, drive to Fort Knox, and weigh the truck at certified scales before and after. Submit your weight tickets and receipts through DPS for reimbursement.
• Financial upside: The government pays you 100% of what the HHG move would have cost. If you can move for less — renting a truck, enlisting friends, being efficient — you pocket the savings. This income is taxable, so set aside about 25% for taxes.
• Best for: Families with smaller households, those who want maximum control over their belongings, or service members looking to earn extra PCS income.
• Partial PPM: You can also do a partial PPM — let the government move most of your HHG while you personally transport a trailer or vehicle load of items you want to keep with you.

What to Do First When You Arrive at Fort Knox

Your first 72 hours at Fort Knox set the tone for your entire tour. Here is a prioritized checklist:

1. Check into temporary lodging if your permanent housing is not ready. The IHG Army Hotels on post or extended-stay options in Elizabethtown work for short stays.
2. Report to your gaining unit. Get your in-processing checklist and begin working through it immediately.
3. Visit the Housing Services Office. Even if you have housing secured, check in to update your status and get the local newcomer packet.
4. Update DEERS and ID cards. The ID Card Center on post handles updates for you, your spouse, and dependents.
5. Enroll children in school. Visit the school with your child, orders, shot records, and transcripts. See the PCS guide school enrollment section for details.
6. Register your vehicle on post. Bring your license, registration, and insurance to the visitor center for a post access pass.
7. Set up utilities for off-post housing — electricity (Nolin RECC or LG&E), water (varies by municipality), internet (Spectrum or AT&T).
8. Visit the commissary and PX. Stock up on essentials and get oriented with what is available on post.
9. Register with Ireland Army Health Clinic and enroll in TRICARE if you need to update your regional plan.
10. Explore your community. Drive around Elizabethtown, find your grocery store, your kids' school routes, and the nearest parks. Getting oriented early reduces stress for the whole family.

Financial Considerations for Your Move

A PCS involves several financial entitlements. Make sure you understand what you are owed:

• DLA (Dislocation Allowance): A flat-rate payment to offset the miscellaneous costs of relocating. Rates vary by rank and dependency status — check the current year's JTR for exact amounts.
• TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense): Reimburses temporary lodging costs for up to 10 days while you transition between homes.
• MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation): A per-mile reimbursement for driving your personal vehicle to your new duty station.
• Per diem: A daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses during your travel days.
• Advance pay: You can request an advance on your housing allowance and basic pay to cover upfront housing costs at your new duty station.